Women In Africa On Political March

Lost in discussions concerning Africa is the growing success story of women entering politics and gaining victory in their political campaigns. A woman now leads Liberia, and in the upcoming election in Malawi a record 220 candidates are vying for the legislature and other top positions. Loveness Gondwe is Malawi’s first female candidate for president and incumbent president Bingu w Mutharika has selected a woman to be his running mate as the vice presidential candidate. There are currently 27 female members of the Malawi parliament but women activists have launched a “50/50″ campaign which seeks to increase that number to half the members of parliament.

Ms. Gondwe makes clear, “as a woman I will make a difference to help the poor, workers and those who have been betrayed by our male rulers in the past.” She also tells voters not to select her because she is a woman, but because of her ideas.